November 28, 2011

Half an hour drawing at the Café this morning felt great.
I don't know where my inspiration for that had gone the last few weeks. I think it was the lack of inspiring subjects the last times I went for my morning coffee. I then lost the "sparkling" envy to draw in my sketchbook. Feels now as I can carry on again, I hope this brake will bring new ideas into my Moleskine.

PS; I would like to thank everyone for the regular visits here on my blog, I also thank the newcomers among those who have sign up as a "regular follower". The past month visits where more frequent than ever, so thank you! It's rewarding in some way to be able to share what I do with people who show interest.
I wish you all a nice week!

A double page in my sketchbook for the "Sketchbook World Tour 2012"...
I always feel the need to have a subject in front of me. I wonder why sometimes; for example when my big white seashell turns out like this... : )

November 18, 2011

I just noticed that this might look like I've done a veery looong arm...!

In fact there is an arm alone, it has nothing to do with the leaning over pose. : )

Nothing much "new" here, because I need to feel that I get my "survival exercise". Not enough time to explore new ways of expression, just time to try to "keep fit", he he.
Anyway, these are 20 and 5 minute poses from bottom to top.

November 08, 2011

A new state a little further, after forcing myself to deal with this problem I had in my mind about the background. I wasn't sure about how to paint it until starting yesterday, unconsciously I had made up my mind to keep a yellow but a more neutral one, and it turned out quite right, (if I don't change my mind again). Looking at the painting, (not the photo), the background has something about "air" in it. I've always wondered how painters do to achieve that. It might be just a question of tone in relation to the rest, of what I found out here. It's not texture as I thought before, but maybe that too, and variations of value I would like to ad.

It's funny to see how the painting changes for better or worse, ha ha ha.

I'll have to digest it a bit now to find out the last things to ad or take away. I want to adjust what's necessary.

My questionings are right now about the flowers to the right... to make them go more together with the top once without over working them or just leave them as they are? I think It will get really boring if I try to define them more.

15.11.11

This is getting difficult and I no longer have the subject to look at. Flowers and leaves are dried out, but I think my imagination is working, if not overworking... that's the risk for me, that I put "too much" of details and colors all over the painting. Another trouble I have is about the "whole painting thing"; color reactions and not mixing the color I need, because I don't know yet it exists and that I need it. : )

... to be continued

07.11.11

After yesterdays watercolor I felt warmed up to start another oil painting, so this is to be continued.

For now, when I paint in oil I just start painting, I don't compose or draw anything on the canvas before, other than the image I got in my head. My urge to paint is too big, time is too short. I "just paint" to be able to "free myself", from any fears I had in the past when facing a canvas. I have to search my way with this medium and with the color mixing, and the only way to do this is "just to paint", I think...

"A day without drawing feels empty and several days drive me crazy!"

This is about sharing a painting and drawing process. Not an academic process, rather my way of working, searching and continuing learning.

I've met many interesting people and friends through this page the last seven years, and I have also got the pleasure to teach watercolor painting in Paris. I thank everyone for their precious support and interest in my work.

Please feel free to contact me for any question, or if you wish to purchase or use any of my work.

As I mention further down in this column you can find reproductions of my work for sale on "One Kings Lane's" website.

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My thoughts about drawing coincides with these statements :

"When a head, an apple, a tree or a piece of bread, beat and subjugate, the hand will follow and communicate through the line or spot, the visual emotion. It is always the revelation of a truth that the subtle viewer will discern without hesitation."

"Drawing from observation is immediate. It requires the feeling: intense sensation, vision, velocity and instant execution. It does not admit any subsequent amendments that we would be noticed inevitably... Whether it's an apple, a face or a tree it's always revelation of a truth that the subtle viewer will discern without hesitation."

Avigdor Arikha

"Always have a book in hand and note in four strokes the objects that strike you, if you do not have time to fully state it. But if you have the opportunity to make a more accurate sketch, study the model with love, consider it and express it under all its forms, so as it stays in your head, embed it there as your property."